The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 327: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

responded Meagies, * But the young lady got clear off, I suppose 826 Camilla Morton was in mourning for the recent loss of both her parents—the name must be an a6- sumed one—and she could be none other than the ‘daughter of those Fosters who perished so lament- ‘ably! Such was the conviction which burst apon ‘me; and I candidly confess that I was staggered for the instant. Competing like © remorse sprang Op in my bree Aye — likely enough,” interrupted Meagies: “for you must confess that it would nos, have been ap agreeable sequence to the tragedy of the parents had you persecuted the orphan daughter to death.” “ Are you in earnest, Tim — speaking so seri- ously ” cried the heir-apparent, in amazement at this display of softness and emotion on his friend's part. . . “Perhaps I may be,” drily. “Oh! in perfect safety,” rejoined the Prince. “The letter which thus made known to me who she really is, was only an epistie from some school-so- quaintance, written several months ago. And now i .“ What?” demanded | Meagies. - “To make inquiries who the girl's relatives and friends are,” returned his Royal Highness; “ and endeavour to trace her out. I am determined tha she shall not escape me thus——-” At this moment Germain entered the room. “What do you want?” demanded the Prince, annoyed at being interrupted in the middle of his observations. “I am ordered to annonnee to your Royal High- ness that Mrs, Fitsherbert has taken her departure from Carlton House :”—and having delivered this message, the valet bowed and withdrew. _ “ Now, thank God! I am unshackled once more,” exsaimed the. Prince, robbing his nands glee y. “But only for a short time,” answered rising from his seat. “Ina few months you will Caroline of Brunswick have to lead the Princess to the altar.” And the ides of that upon my marriage weighs ‘soul like a presentiment of evil,” rejoined the heir- apparent, a deep gloom suddenly spreading itself over his countenance. CHAPTER LXXXIX. TER BARGAIN OF CRIME, Iz was between nize and ten o'slock on the Sunday evening following the incidents just related—and although dark clouds were piled upon the face of heaven, yet were they so broken that the moon shone brightly forth from amidst them, silvering OO ta ee ee ; The Magsman, with his club under his arm, and his hands in his poekets, prowled up and down the road on the western extremity of Hyde Park; and overy timo he passed 2 particular clamp of trees, he muttered in a low hoarse tone, “No one’s made their appearance yet, old feller.” | “ They'll come, I daresay,” was the responsive growl that came from behind the age truaks of the leafless trea, 1. . Then no more was salid—and the Magaman re. sumed his walk, which the coldness of the night mask over all the upper part of his countenance, accosted the Magsman. *You are puactual,” said the streager and abode and by whom the present appointment was «I’ve been a-waiting for you this last half-hour,” responded the Mageman; “ and therefore I'm more than punctual. But what's the business about 7” “I presume you are not over particular whas you do to carn money?” said te eager. inter. rogatively; and the Magsman could two dark eyes gleaming intently upon him throagh the holes in the mask. * As little particular as a man can be in these hard times,”. was the response that he gave. “You have your price for every species of crime which can be suggested to you?” continued the unknown qoerist. “ There's nothing you can name that I won't do,” t.| answered the Magaman,-—“ provided the rewerd is a fatone. Now do you comprehend me, sir? Fer I suppose you want to be assured as to the lengths ce eee tne enn 708 Pen sor mind to me,” added the ruffian. “You have acourately divined my sponded the stranger : then, sinking his volae to the lowest audible whisper, he said, “And murder has its price as well as aught beside ” “ To be sure,” exclaimed the Magaman, “For instance, if I thought you was patting s plant upon me now, I'd shoot you through the head as uncere- moniously as I'd eat my dinner ;"—and the mocn- beams glanced on the barrel of a pistol which he drew from his pocket. “ Pat up your weapon, my good fellow,” said the nobleman for euch, as the reader will remember, he was—aelthough the Magsman was not aware of the circumstance: “we shall do some business to- gether, instead of quarrelling, ere we part.” —. “So much the better. Bat I thought it as well just to let you see that I don’t stand the slightess nonsense,” observed the Magsman. “And now proceed with any more questions you may wish to put to me,” “From what took place between yourself and your wife the other night,” resamed the stranger, “it is clear that you incur constant dangers by re- in this country. Now, if you had your purse well filled, -would you not like to try your fos- tunes on the other side of the Atlantic f” “In America,” ejaculated the Mageman : and he beecving, “ Yos—if it was made worth my while, I ahoujdn’t at all mind visiting them free States which have thrown off the yoke of old George LI. Bat if a murder is to be committed,” he continued with a coolness which made the no- bleman shudder, though he himself had saggested that euch aorime was ju contemplation,;—" it surely CORNICE OOO ©) CO